Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
My grandfather owned a feed and grain operation in western Maryland...
around Hagerstown. He was doing very well as one of those "handshake" kinds of businessmen, and was yer basic "pillar of the community".
The the Depression hit, and he rounded everyone up...
"We're in this together. As long as I can hold out, you've all got credit." And the farmers went back to work.
Pearl Harbor happened and we were at war, meaning everyone was back to work. Old Gus wasn't stupid and had paper on everyone for the loans, but he never sued or foreclosed on the two or three who couldn't pay him back. Needless to say, this made him an even bigger hero in the area.
It is men and women like this who are the foundations of civilization. Our local newspaper keeps finding people like this nowadays, and gives them big play.
